Holistic Scheduler for Container Terminal Flow Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current shipping container terminal operations lack advanced planning and real-time optimization, leading to inefficiencies in managing container flow across waterside, yard, and landside processes, with human dispatchers having a significant impact on robotic operations and limited ability to adapt to intermittent and variable conditions.

Innovation Solution

An integral container terminal flow planning and control system that integrates advance planning with real-time scheduling, using a holistic scheduler to coordinate quay crane, stacking crane, and automated vehicle operations across multiple time windows, reducing human intervention and optimizing container movements through automated databases and scheduling modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If human dispatchers manually control container terminal operations, then flexibility to handle intermittent conditions is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer terminal operational efficiencyVSAvoidlevel of robotic operation automation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables robotic equipment to autonomously perform container handling operations through automated scheduling and control. The holistic scheduler automatically assigns tasks to cranes and vehicles without human intervention, allowing the system to self-manage operations and improve productivity while maintaining high levels of automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control by human dispatchers with an automated computer-based scheduling system. The holistic scheduler uses software algorithms to automatically coordinate crane and vehicle operations, substituting the mechanical decision-making process with an automated information processing system that operates continuously without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If advance planning is implemented for container operations, then schedulability and predictability improve, but adaptability to intermittent and variable conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepredictability of container terminal operationsVSAvoidability to adapt to intermittent conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling system operates dynamically by continuously updating plans based on real-time conditions. The holistic scheduler can modify assigned tasks and reassign equipment when intermittent conditions occur, allowing the system to maintain both advance planning benefits and adaptability to changing operational environments through dynamic plan adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary scheduling actions by pre-planning container handling operations in advance. The holistic scheduler creates detailed schedules before operations begin, establishing predictability and efficiency. Simultaneously, the system maintains the capability to intervene and adjust plans when variable conditions arise, balancing advance planning with necessary adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If human dispatchers are used to coordinate container flow, then operational flexibility is maintained, but loss of time and productivity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer handling throughputVSAvoidtime spent on manual coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for human dispatchers to manually coordinate container flow by implementing an automated holistic scheduler. The system uses computer-based algorithms to automatically assign tasks, track equipment positions, and optimize container handling operations, thereby eliminating time loss associated with manual coordination while significantly increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated scheduling system operates continuously without interruption, maintaining optimal container flow decisions at all times. Unlike human dispatchers who require breaks and have limited attention spans, the holistic scheduler continuously monitors and adjusts operations, ensuring continuous useful action and eliminating time loss from human operational limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9061843B2System and method for integral planning and control of container flow operations in container terminals

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 NAVIS LP

AI summary

A system and method for automatically planning and controlling container flow operations in a large-scale container terminal shipping container transportation and storage terminals such as those at ports is disclosed. The system and method automatically scheduling operations of the container terminal in a holistic manner in multiple different time windows in advance in which operations are scheduled in a far-ahead horizon time window, in a candidate horizon time window, and in an imminent horizon time window.